Trial of the Moke (1978)

Starring:

• Franklyn Seales
• Alfre Woodard 
• Samuel L. Jackson 
• Howard E. Rollins Jr. 
• Thalmus Rasulala

Storyline
This play is based on the tragic true story of the first African-American to graduate from West Point. Assigned to Fort Davis, Texas in 1881, Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper was framed by white officers who accused him of embezzling government funds. Flipper was finally vindicated 95 years later - only a week after THE TRIAL OF THE MOKE ended it world premier run in 1976.

Ring of Passion (1978)

 

Starring:

• Bernie Casey
• Stephen Macht
• Allen Garfield

Storyline
"Ring of Passion" is a 1978 TV-movie about the Joe Louis/Max Schmeling fights. It stars Bernie Casey as Joe Louis, Stephen Macht as Schemling, Britt Ekland as Mrs. Schmeling, and Allen Garfield as Damon Runyon. The Louis/Schmeling fights, which took place during the time of Hitler, had political implications as well as implications in the international fight arena. Though Schmeling was used by the Third Reich as a symbol of Nazi power, he was not a Nazi. He was, however, a proud German. Louis was an ambitious young man who wasn't very practical with his money. Both were very good men. Both were dynamos in the ring. Their 1938 rematch was considered America vs. Germany.

Though not covered in the film, the two became very good friends, with Schmeling helping Louis financially throughout the years. Schmeling died at the age of 99 in 2005; Louis died in 1981. The Brown Bomber, as he was known, held the world heavyweight title longer than anyone.

"Ring of Passion" has the stamp of a '70s TV movie. The performances are good, but the dialogue is uninspired and the pace is slow. Also, it was strange to see Germans in Germany speaking English with a German accent, which of course, they don't do. However, Stephen Macht, whose last name is German, sports an excellent German accent.

One historically incorrect thing: Schmeling and a tennis friend, Rodney, visit together. Rodney is about to play Don Budge, the American tennis champion. When he loses, Rodney and his family disappear. "Rodney" is undoubtedly Roderick Menzel, who indeed lost to Don Budge in 1938; however, he died in 1987. Apparently, in this movie, with the exception of Louis and Schmeling, if the real-life people were still alive, their names were changed (including Mrs. Schmeling, Anny, called Amy in the film).

Blind Rage (1978)

Starring:

• D'Urville Martin
• Fred Williamson
• Leo Fong
• Tony Ferrer
• Dick Adair
• Darnell Garcia
• Charlie Davao
• Leila Hermosa

Storyline
The Americans are planning to send five million dollars to Southeast Asia for relief work. They plan to send it to a bank in Manila, and the President of the bank goes to the U.S. to work out the details. He is later approached by someone who wants him to steal the money and turn it over to them. He learns that they want him to use four blind men to get the money. So he recruits them and brings them to Manila and recruits a woman who teaches the blind to train them. Eventually, they hire a local bank robber who is also blind to help them.